Hidden Figures: Film Review – Brighter Than A Shooting Star

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Verdict – A story that needed to be told, a film that needs to be watched.

We’ve all witnessed several films that shed light on racism. Brilliant films that have portrayed the raw, intense and harsh cruelties of this evil. What makes Hidden Figures stand apart is the manner in which it presents the true stories of three intellectually brilliant women. It stings the mind sharper than the whip and it all lies in the little things. There are subtle yet powerful points that hit the nail right on the head yet does not fall short on entertainment. It educates, it’s feminist, it’s inspiring and leaves you with the warm fuzzies.

In the first few minutes after the film begins, we gather the fact that these are no ordinary women. Based on the book by Margot Lee Shetterly, the film tells us the story of three African-American women, Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monáe), who play integral roles in helping America win the space race. Working at NASA as human computers, they are part of a group of black women working out of a basement office and help make the necessary calculations for space missions.Thanks to her strong hold on analytic geometry, Johnson is promoted to the Space Task Group, which requires her to work directly with scientists working on sending John Glenn into space and keeping up with the Russians. While Johnson is the one with the most screentime, the film manages to bring forward the parallel stories of Dorothy Vaughan who awaits her long-due promotion and Mary Jackson who must challenge the law if she wishes to be an engineer. In a state where colored laws were still applicable, all three of these brilliant women have their own battles to fight, a fight for their intellect and recognition.

What strikes a chord is how beautifully the film shows us two sides to these women. While they are strong-willed with a brain to back those sharp personalities they, like every woman regardless of color, like to bond over a glass of wine and let their hair down. Apart from the three protagonists, the talented supporting cast only helps skyrocket this film, be it Al Harrison (Kevin Costner) the head of the Space Task Group, Paul Stafford (Jim Parsons) the racist colleague or Kirsten Dunst (Vivian Mitchell), the harsh white supervisor.

Despite the serious issues it deals with, the film has a peppy vibe with Pharrell William’s tune adding to it. Despite its minor tweaks, director Theodore Melfi has definitely done justice in bringing forward the stories of these unsung heroes. It is not innovative filmmaking but at the same time neither is it bad and ticks all the right boxes. It portrays a story that needs to be told and does it in a way that will make you smile and cheer with pride.

Why You Should This Movie:

A feel-good film, Hidden Figures is inspiration cinema. From space to race, it introduces to the phenomenal story of three exceptionally brilliant women. We can think of absolutely no reason for you to not watch this film.